Washington, D.C., February 26, 2024
Photo: georgetown.edu
Hundreds of students have signed a petition calling for a longer Christmas break at Georgetown University, a private Jesuit university, next year.
Among the 800 student signatories (in addition to 14 student organizations) are a number of Orthodox Christians who celebrate Old Calendar Christmas on January 7, the day before classes are set to begin next year, reports the Georgetown Voice.
Copley Crypt Chapel at Georgetown, where Orthodox Vespers are celebrated by Fr. David Pratt, the school’s Orthodox chaplain. Photo: campusministry.georgetown.edu
Next year’s break is December 22-January 7—a week shorter than the 2023-2024 winter break. Beginning so close to December 25 Christmas makes it difficult, and expensive, especially for international students to celebrate with their families, while Orthodox students on the Old Calendar will have to rush back to start school again the day after Christmas.
“Georgetown has one of the only Orthodox Christian school-run ministries in the country and because of this they attract many Orthodox Christian students. By having classes start on the 8th of January next school year, Orthodox Christian students at Georgetown will have a difficult time celebrating with their families,” the petition reads.
However, a university representative informed the Georgetown Voice that the school is unable to make changes to next year’s calendar, but will take student feedback into account in the future.
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